May 21—CONCORD — State Sen. Lou D'Allesandro said Tuesday he will not seek re-election to a 14th two-year term in the upper chamber, ending a 50-year career in elective politics.
D'Allesandro, 85, caps off 30 years of service in the New Hampshire legislature dating to his first victory to a House seat in 1972. He also served three terms on the Executive Council.
The retired teacher, administrator and college coach said it it time for new leadership to represent his district, which includes Manchester Wards 2, 3, 4, 10, 11 and 12.
"Nothing lasts forever. You can't stay beyond the time when you can make a difference. I believe my service in the Senate has made a difference in the lives of people," said D'Allesandro (D-Manchester).
D'Allesandro made the announcement in the Legislative Office Building, which was packed with lobbyists, legislators, friends and family.
"I couldn't have done many of the things I have accomplished over the years without the help of all of you," he said.
While not on the ballot, D'Allesandro said he plans to stay involved in state politics "until my dying breath."
"I want to leave you all wanting more D'Allesandro," he said.
D'Allesandro reflected on his greatest failures and setbacks.
"My great failure was never getting the casino built at Rockingham Park," D'Allesandro said of his near-30-year campaign to legalize casino gambling.
He noted that since then, charity casinos to benefit nonprofits have been built all over the state.
"The tragedy is we have 20 casinos now," D'Allesandro said.
"Everything that nobody wanted we've got, and we've got more than we need."
D'Allesandro said his greatest triumph was passage of a law that allowed those who were adopted to gain access to their birth records.
Legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle congratulated D'Allesandro for his service.
"While we will be waiting to see 'more D'Allesandro,' the entire Senate thanks him for his service to the Granite State," said Senate President Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro. "Everyone will miss the passion he has always held for public service."
Praise for senator
Democratic Party Chairman Raymond Buckley said D'Allesandro's work ethic and commitment to his constituents had no peer.
"Lou never hesitated to reach out to help make the lives of people better. New Hampshire has never had a more dedicated public servant.
"I have known Lou for 48 years and I can honestly say that nobody has served the people of New Hampshire better," Buckley said.
Like Buckley, Senate Democratic Leader Donna Soucy of Manchester traced her own campaigns for office back to the example D'Allesandro set in his home city, where he served on the local school and water works boards.
"His shoes are ones that can never be filled, and his announcement today truly rings bittersweet," Soucy said.
Until the late 1980s, D'Allesandro was a moderate Republican who ran for governor in 1982, losing in that GOP primary to John H. Sununu, who went on to serve three terms.
D'Allesandro said he was driven out of the GOP and became a Democrat after attacks from Union Leader Publisher William Loeb, who branded him "Liberal Lou."
While in the Legislature, D'Allesandro was one of the chief architects of numerous state budgets as a former chairman and ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee. He also served on the Senate Ways and Means and Capital Budget Committees.
A University of New Hampshire graduate and standout athlete, D'Allesandro went on to become the first athletic director and men's basketball coach at New Hampshire College, helping it gain NCAA status before it became Southern New Hampshire University.
As for this year, D'Allesandro said it's critical that lawmakers come together on a plan to renew uncompensated care benefits to hospitals and other providers, as well as set aside more money to care for victims of sexual and emotional abuse at the former Youth Development Center.
Among Manchester Democrats who could consider bids to succeed D'Allesandro are State Rep. Patrick Long, lawyer Jerome Duval and Rep. Patricia Cornell. Manchester Republican and radio talk personality Rich Girard ran against D'Allesandro in 2022, and the district has a number of other GOP activists, including former state representative Tammy Simmons.
klandrigan@unionleader.com
